Acute Inpatient Rehabilitation Functional Outcomes and Disposition After Liver Transplant

Objective

To describe the outcomes (change in functional independence and discharge disposition) of patients who after liver transplantation received acute inpatient rehabilitation in a freestanding rehabilitation hospital.

Design

A retrospective chart review was conducted of patients admitted to an acute inpatient rehabilitation hospital within 6 months of undergoing liver transplantation between January 2014 and December 2018. Change in function from rehabilitation admission to discharge was measured using FIM Change and FIM Efficiency.

Setting

A freestanding rehabilitation hospital.

Participants

107 patients who underwent acute inpatient rehabilitation at a freestanding rehabilitation hospital within 6 months after liver transplantation who met inclusion criteria (N=107). Most were men (71.96%), and the mean age of the patient population was 62.15 years.

Interventions

Acute inpatient rehabilitation consisting of at least 3 hours of therapy 5 days a week split between physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech language pathology services.

Main Outcome Measure

FIM Change, FIM Efficiency, Discharge Disposition.

Results

Participants were found to have statistically significant positive FIM Change (P<.00001) and FIM Efficiency (P<.00001). The mean FIM Change and Efficiency were 35.7±11.8 and 2.4±1.0, respectively. 83.2% (n = 89) were ultimately discharged to the community.

Conclusion

Acute inpatient rehabilitation provides patients who have received a liver transplant with the opportunity to measurably improve their function and independence, with most patients being able to return home.